Earlier this month, the NBA held its annual Draft Combine, where dozens of NBA hopefuls and representatives of all 30 NBA teams gathered for player interviews, athletic and strength tests, 5 on 5 scrimmages and, yes — official length and height measurements.

For decades, fans have taken interest in discovering just how tall some of the NCAA’s biggest stars actually were/are. Some of the measurements over the years have been eye-opening and — in some cases — hurt a prospects draft stock.

Way back in 1992, Oklahoma State stud Byron Houston — a collegiate All-American who was listed at 6’7″ with the Cowboys — measured just 6’4″ barefoot at the Combine, putting him closer to 6’5″ in shoes than his supposed 6’7″.

More recently, Kansas State standout Michael Beasley — who was billed at 6’10” in college and has continued to be listed at 6’10” at his various NBA stops — measured just 6’7″ in socks and 6’8″ 1/4 with shoes at the 2008 Combine.

As you can guess, some teams showed diminished interest in Houston and Beasley after their measurements. For Houston, who primarily played the post, 6’5″ in shoes wasn’t nearly as attractive as 6’7″. For Beasley, a classic tweener who can play a little at both the three and the four, his 6’8″ in- shoes measurement wasn’t as appealing to some clubs as a 6’10” measurement would have been.

At this year’s combine, as has long been the case, many of the players came up significantly shorter than advertised. I took the time to compare every prospect measured at the Combine to their college listing, checking at least two to three sources to ensure accuracy. Here are the results — first as a group and then individually.

Of 66 players measured both with and without shoes early in day when people are significantly taller (1/3 inch to 3/4 inch+ in some cases than afternoon/evening due to spinal compression), here are the results of the NO SHOES measurements:

In terms of IN SHOE measurements — players play in shoes, after all, and thus in-shoe measurements are completely valid and appropriate — just 25 of 66 measured as tall as their listed college height. Even with shoes on, 41 of 66 were shorter than their listed college height.

AND NOW…INTRODUCING…THE VIEW FROM MT. AIRY, and here to show you the view, HIS view, Phil Allen.

PHIL:

That’s right Palmer….warn them……pack that radio in ice…….it’s going to get heated!!!

Because somebody gotta tell me how, just how, Jose Oquendo is STILL the 3rd base coach after 17 years…..

How about this?

The year Mike Matheny was drafted by the Brewers , Jose hit .291 and played 163 games…… .994 fielding pct. Top 10 in hits, triples and OBP….

Let us not forget he was Whitey Herzog’s “secret weapon” and played 8 positions as a Cardinal in ’87 including throwing 3 shutout innings against the Braves (he lost in the 19th on a double by Ken Griffey, Sr.)

The very week he got the Cardinals 3rd base coaching job, Mike Matheny was released by the Blue Jays, could not hit, average defensive player who couldn’t beat out Darren Fletcher……Comes to McGwire country and all of a sudden….he’s IRONMAN?

Hmmmmm?

Poor Jose. He stands in the 3rd base box for 14 seasons while Matheny goes to SF as a free agent, retires and iscoaching little league! Yet HE gets the call over Oquendo?

Yeah, let’s talk Cardinals….the conversation, unlike the team, will not be vanilla. See, we pay attention out here to “baseball heaven” and we have watched as the Cardinals have gotten very melanin free over the past decade. The franchise of Gibson, Flood, Brock, Ozzie, “Shake & Bake” McBride, Jeff Leonard, and more has how many black players today?

Hmmmmm?

While we’re asking questions, am I alone when I look at the rise of Oregon Ducks basketball and wonder when the sanctions hit? Ok, the rise of football at OU made them more high profile the resultant publicity aided recruiting and, Voila!!

NOT.

That would be that same program which is currently under investigation again and whose former head coach Charles (Chip) Kelly is banned from coaching in the NCAA for another year, and even then would have to apply for reinstatement? I also give you the Davin Bellamy and a group of coeds cuddled up on a couch with a bong. Prosecution rests with this final statement. I understand when a program lands a 5 star kid who elevates the team to new heights, we love that. An Artis Gilmore here, an Xavier McDaniel there. I get it. However, when you’ve add three or four over an 18 month period, my alarm breaks. Isolated campus plus success should not equal shenanigans but……..

MLB 2016 kicks off in a week. Here in Philly we’ve prepared for the 100 loss death march the Philadelphia Phillies wilk embark upon in April. This is a team in transition (no bullpen, bad outfield, thin starting pitching) and I’ll watch the kids like Mikael Franco and Nick Williams. There is a future here. The good news is the Phillies know there bad. They are offering a monthly pass. Cost $50 and gets you into every home game in April. There are 12, so thats $4.50 per game. Begging the question, would you rather win games at full price or get MLB at 1980 prices?

They should include a heated blanket and brandy for the icebox that Citizens Bank Park is at night until May! But if you are that hearty a soul get yours here. By the way, I heard its the Year of The Cubs? Can it be?

Jason Kidd coaching the Brooklyn Nets is like Whoopi Goldberg’s character Eddie coaching the New York Knicks…it’s a joke.

Chris Petersen is a great hire for Washington, he’ll start stealing those Pac-12 recruits from USC, UCLA and Oregon.

Might have to start watching the 2014 World Cup, if not, I should start playing FIFA.

Maybe Jay-Z is a smart guy after all. Kudos to him netting former New York Yankees 2nd baseman Robinson Cano a $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. Maybe Cano might humble himself after all in a new uniform. Then again, it’s Robinson Cano. Shoutout to Stephen A. Smith for calling out the Yankees on First Take. (NOTE: I rarely watch that show)

Watched Bulls/Heat last night…I guess it’s one of those times the Heat plays like crapola before turning it up in the month of April.

I really want Mizzou to win the SEC Championship just to see how screwy the BCS gang will be towards them.

Curtis Granderson got $60 million from the New York Mets…Hey Mets management, how did that deal with Jason Bay work out? Curt, make your money! If you screw the Mets, I love every minute of it.

Gary Kubiak getting fired from the Houston Texans was understandable, but don’t fire the man when he just got off a stroke. I don’t care how big or how small it was. Damn. I guess 11 straight losses made sure he got that ax quick.

To the gamer who cussed during the middle of a game on NBA 2K14…do that again, it was hilarious.

I want to see how the Downtown Athletic Club treats Jameis Winston now that he is not charged…My race card is ready to pulled if he doesn’t win the Heisman. He’s the favorite. Johnny Manziel and A.J. McCarron can both go to hell.

I actually miss Lovie Smith. It’s time for him to get back in the saddle as head coach for a team…maybe the Houston Texans come to mind. I don’t know.

I would actually laugh if the Miami Heat trade Dwyane Wade.

What was the point of the Indianapolis Colts getting Trent Richardson? I’ll leave that for YOU to answer.

DeMarcus Cousins should have no reason saying anything about anybody. You play for the Sacramento Kings dude, the Kings.

What happened to the St. Louis Blues? Please EA, be correct on this prediction.

So…is Kobe coming back?

That will wrap up this rant for today. More to come. Make sure you tune in to “Beyond The Ropes” on Youtube, comes on every Monday night after Raw. It’s LIVE and you can chat with the crew.